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Red Dragons off to smoking start
Niles slowed only by inclement weather
after its swing through Myrtle Beach
By BRIAN DZENIS
The only thing slowing down the Niles baseball team right now is the weather.
The season is still young, but Niles’ baseball team has collected a few impressive pelts. It’s a far cry from where the Red Dragons were at this time in 2015, when they were 0-5.
Niles is currently 6-1 and already boasts wins over a regional champion and a perennial Ohio power. The possibilities of where this team can go seem limitless.
“I believe we can make it through districts or to regionals. Hopefully, we can make it to states,” Niles pitcher Jaret Johnson said. “I think this team is special. We’ve all played together since 7-8s and 9-10s and we’ve all bonded together.”
The source of this confidence comes from a stellar performance at the Cal Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C. In that five-game set to start the year, Niles went 4-1, knocking off Illinois regional champ Glenbard South and also trouncing Columbus de Sales. Johnson was the winning pitcher in a 14-4 victory over de Sales, a three-time state champion.
“It’s an indescribable feeling. To have that happen to you after going 0-5 last year, it gives you all the confidence in the world,” Johnson said. “You feel like you can go out there and pitch against anybody, especially when you have a solid team behind you and bats that can give you run support.”
The Red Dragons kept up that form through their first two games back in Ohio, beating All-American Conference rivals Edgewood and Hubbard in inclement weather.
“We have a saying with the kids. No matter what the weather is, it’s 75 and sunny,” Niles coach Mike Guarnieri said. “You can’t let those things affect your performance.”
And yet, since a 1-0 win against Hubbard on Wednesday, Niles has had four games postponed or cancelled due to poor field conditions and snow. Guarnieri said if anything, the weather has affected how his pitchers grip the ball. Johnson said the cold has had more of an effect on the hitters, specifically how the ball travels off the bat. Johnson still managed to get a complete-game shutout on Wednesday.
“The mound was a little sloppy, but it didn’t make that much of a difference,” he said.
The senior pitcher is 2-0. After running cross country in the fall, he’s spent the winter just focusing on baseball.
“It’s kind of a double-edged sword for him,” Guarnieri said of cross country’s effect on Johnson. “He’ll lose weight coming out of cross country season and he comes into our weight room and we have to bulk him back up.
“He’s worked really hard at his craft and we fully expected him to have the success that he’s had,” Guarnieri added.
Should the weather cooperate, Niles will try to continue its hot start today against Lakeside.
“I think it’s a great start to the season. We’re not trying to get too far ahead of ourselves,” Johnson said. “We have to stay focused and win the games that we’re supposed to win and not get too big-headed.”